# The War Game (1966 TV Docu-Drama)

A TV drama documentary from 1966, detailing a nuclear attack on Britain that was so controversial at the time that is was blocked by Harold Wilson's Labour government of the time from being broadcast on TV for fears it may be too harrowing for them. It was written, produced and directed by Peter Watkins, who upon not being able to screen his work decided to premiere it at the National Film Theatre in London on April 13th 1966 where it won much acclaim all over the world and the Venice Special Prize award. It wasn't seen in Britain however until it was shown on July 31st 1985, nearly 20 years after it was made, a day before the repeat of the nuclear war drama Threads (Boy, they knew how to brighten people's day back then, didn't they?). Shown for only the 2nd time on TV as part of the BBC's "How To Cheer You Up" campaign last year during these happy times, my only reason for recording it back then and uploading it here is because it does not seem to be available anywhere online and is so rarely repeated. However, it's well made for back then and unaffected by any political bias, more a genuine concern of all countries' build up of nuclear weapons. It features Michael Aspel (still going at 93) as one of the commentators, while see if you can spot appearances by Kathy Staff and Mike Pratt (he from Randall & Hopkirk) among the interviewees of the public. Mike Pratt also features in the Berlin Wall segment as well. A valuable TV docu-drama from it's archives that I feel should…

- Kind: Documentary
- Year: 1966
- By: Peter Watkins
- Genres: Drama, War, Documentary
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/the-war-game-1966)
- Licence or status: none stated by the archive
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/the-war-game-1966?play=1)